India’s MoD Lists UAV Programs

> original title:

DRDO Projects

(Source: Press Information Bureau India; issued April 22, 2013)

After successful development of Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA), Lakshya; Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Nishant; Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV Rustom-I; and various mini and micro UAVs, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has stepped up for development of the following UAVs

Rustom-1: Major objectives, like taxi take-off and landing, endurance and altitude of this Technology Demonstrator have been accomplished through a total of 26 flights conducted so far. Further flights are planned to evaluate its payload capabilities.

Rustom-2: The project is progressing as per schedule with active participation of the Users. Preliminary Design Reviews and most of the Critical Design Reviews have been completed. Its first flight is likely to be commenced during mid-2014.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri NaranbhaiKachhadiain Lok Sabha today.